In 2024, The World is a large scale MMO which has captivated players across the planet. All save for one it seems, as middle school girl Seto Yuuki isn’t like the rest of her peers who seem to gravitate around the game. When she finally gets around to it, she discovers that it’s worth its reputation. However, her involvement reveals a hidden connection between this virtual game and the real world; a connection that bears a cost to everyone who plays.

To those who remember the .hack//SIGN anime and Playstation 2 games, this movie is a stark departure from that series. While they both revolved around the online game The World, the characters, situations, and driving force are different. It takes a more modern approach to the themes found in the 2002 release of the first saga while it tries to remain true to the series. Like No Game No Life: Zero, this is a departure that tries to instill the same feeling as the original work.

The Holy Grail War has persisted for years as a victor-takes-all battle between the greatest sorcerers on the planet. Young Emiya Shirou has unwittingly stepped into this as a candidate, commanding his very own heroic spirit, the legendary Saber. Although he is completely outclassed as a mage, he is desperate to bring about change and an end to this brutal tournament. Will he survive and put a stop to this senseless bloodshed, or will he become its next victim?

The Fate/Stay Night series has multiple adaptations of the visual novel’s numerous routes. Unlimited Blade Works is one that was adapted into a 24 episode 2 cours anime, and this film is the retelling of that. The film is visually striking and a fantastic feast for the eyes, animated by the charismatic ufotable studio. If you’re looking for a blend of sci-fi and fantasy action similar to what’s found in NGNL Zero, you’ve come to the right place.

The unparalleled beauty and devastatingly powerful witch Bayonetta has awakened after 500 years of slumber. However, seeing as her ancient enemies are still around and kicking, she isn’t happy and cannot remember why. Setting out on a quest to regain her lost memories, she cuts down any foe that seeks to impede her path.

Based on the Bayonetta video game, Bloody Fate has just as much action and gratuitous fan service as the mainline game series. In the war of witches against lumen sages, Bayonetta reigns supreme, and her bloodlust is seductively sated on screen. For anime fans looking to see a protagonist leave a high body count, this is the right movie to watch.

Four years following the events that led Kirito Kagiya to save thousands of players trapped in the original VRMMO Sword Art Online, Ordinal Scale has him facing off against another virtual conflict. With new Augmented Reality tech called the Amusphere, players interact with the real world overlayed with that of the game. However, when players from SAO are targeted by monsters of the game and being hospitalized in the real world, Kirito takes action. He and his friends must find out what the link between this new game and SAO is and how they can avoid being its victims.

Ordinal Scale is a large departure from the previous series in its setting as almost the entirety of the action takes place in the real world. Even though their bodies and skills aren’t quite as durable as their in-game avatars, the action and fights are still just as fantastic. This movie sequel takes everything good about the main series and improves upon it, allowing for fans and newcomers to enjoy.

Forced to watch his parents brutally murdered before his young eyes, Ciel was powerless to avenge them. However, after forming a contract from an underworldly butler, Sebastian, he has the means to seek justice. In Book of the Atlantic, Ciel chases a lead to his parents’ murder which takes him aboard a luxury cruise on the high seas. However, the dead are coming back to life in a gruesome fashion, pitting his butler Sebastian in a fight for their lives.

The film is a side story from the main series, and fans will enjoy the humor and action which carries over from the show. If you want an action anime film with more than a touch of the otherworldly, you might want to give Book of the Atlantic a watch.

In a world where demons and humans battle daily, Rin Okumura lives his unsuspecting life thinking he’s just like everyone else. However, after an encounter with a band of demons, he learns that he is, in fact, the son of Satan. After this revelation, he seeks to battle demons alongside humans as an exorcist.

Blue Exorcist The Movie takes place as a side story to the main anime and features a new storyline. Fans of the original series and manga will enjoy the additional plot, and newcomers will also appreciate the action and comedy. It’s definitely something that fans of No Game No Life: Zero could take interest in watching.